Gran Canaria Clinic: A Look From The Outside

Alan Richardson from the FIBA Europe Referee department (left) and FIBA Europe Head of operations Miguel Batencor (right) with Mansour Al Ahmari, FIBA Instructor from the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia

While the annual Clinic for Europe's National Referee Instructors and Potential Referees on Gran Canaria is organised and administrated by FIBA Europe, looking outside the borders of the continent and sharing the knowledge has always been a big part of the Clinic.

This year the first week of the Clinic was attended by Mansour Al Ahmari, FIBA Instructor from the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia (KSA), a member federation of the FIBA Asia zone.

Al Ahmari took some time during the busy Clinic schedule to sit down with FIBA Europe to give a short interview on his experience during the visit.

FIBA Europe: Mansour, what were your impressions of the clinic?

Mansour Al Ahmari: I was very pleased to be here in San Augustin and would like to thank Alan Richardson and Richard Stokes from the FIBA Europe Referee Department for facilitating my invitation, they made it very easy for me to attend and were very welcoming. The clinic was of a very high standard, but I was not surprised as the FIBA Europe Referee Department is highly regarded throughout the basketball world. Considering that FIBA Europe was born in 2002, in just nine years they have made considerable strides in such a short period of time.

FIBA Europe: Did any particular session catch your attention?

Mansour Al Ahmari: I particularly enjoyed the Energy and Communication lectures by Jose Sanchez and the Physical Preparation of referees by Alejandro Vaquera. It is difficult to find such presentations and information in my region.

FIBA Europe: We saw you also at the Universitas Conference?

Mansour Al Ahmari: Yes, as a professional educator I was very happy to hear of the FIBA Europe principles for developing all aspects of the sport, not just for participation but also for social integration and the concept of a European Basketball fraternity for all kinds of members. It is good that Universities are moving closer to FIBA Europe and their knowledge, skills and research are being incorporated in the future.

FE: What lasting impression will you take back to your country?

Mansour Al Ahmri: I learnt a lot from everyone. I listened to all of the presentations, courtside feedback and advice to the referees, comments from instructors, coaches and consultants from many different countries. I will do my best to introduce changes in my country and I hope that one day the FIBA Europe Referee Department will come to see them in action.